The 2021 Family Forests Education Awards winners were announced during the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs (NAUFRP) General Assembly on November 3, 2021. The award is co-sponsored by the National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA).
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) program received the 2021 FFEA Comprehensive Program for programming most benefiting family forest owners over the last five years. The UME Woodland Stewardship Education (WSE) program connects woodland property owners to their land through education and outreach. Using varied Extension delivery, WSE enables woodland owners to make sound and informed decisions about managing their land by bringing forestry, wildlife ecology professionals to simplify and demystify natural resource management.
The nomination includes multiple examples or UME’s innovative, needs-based, collaborative, impactful multidisciplinary outreach efforts. “It’s a real David becomes Goliath tale led by sage Jonathan Kays over a career” claimed one reviewer. Said reviewer suggests the 125 page plus documentation, that accompanied the nomination, would be a great primer to gauge what’s possible with grants, and collaborations- for anyone in the outreach business.
UME Natural Resource and Forestry work is led by Dr. William G. Hubbard Assistant Director & Program Leader Environmental, Natural Resources & Sea Grant in College Park.
This year’s Individual Project Award focused on exemplary educational programming responses to the 2020 pandemic. The University of Kentucky Extension program was selected for its From the Woods weekly webinar and podcast delivery system that is available live and recorded in concert with a local radio station and online. From the Woods Today is a weekly internet show co-hosted by Renee’ Williams and Billy Thomas with UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension. From the Wood’s role in outreach has expanded throughout the pandemic and is a popular broadcast in multi-platforms.
The UK extension program is led by Dr. Jeff Stringer Chairman, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and Extension Professor of Hardwood Silviculture and Forest Operations in Lexington.
Our sincere congratulations and thanks to these notable Extension programs, delivery staff, leaders, nominees and our fine partner NAUFRP.
